Realising the spread and importance of yoga world over, the Indian government has decided to include “attending a short term yoga programme” in the list of permissible activities under the tourist and e-tourist visas, an official statement said on Thursday.
A Union Home Ministry release also said it has been decided to include “attending a short term yoga programme” and “short duration medical treatment under Indian systems of medicine” in the list of permissible activities under e-Tourist Visa.
At present, a tourist visa is granted to a foreigner whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sight seeing and casual visit to meet friends or relatives.
Similarly, e-Tourist Visa is granted to a foreigner whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sight seeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, a short duration medical treatment or casual business visit.
All Indian Missions abroad and Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRROs)/ Foreigners Registration Officers (FROs) in the country have been accordingly requested to take action as per the new norms, the release said.